Metal forming apparatus and method of operation



Jan, 12 1943. m EQHWAFZTZ Zlfiflfifi'fi METAL FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATION Filed April. 6, 1940 2' Shasta-Sheet. l

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Jan. 12, 1943.

M. SCHWARTZ METAL FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATION Filed April 6, 1940' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 "n "W %9 I ll" ZQ'L/ 33 24 4 /6 6. j: .7 33 5 .54 ,20\\ .34 Z 56 50 -50; I- 35 37 3/ 52 "II 3'2 29 llll l 29/ 55' 25 55 l i 4 v 230 g-lg] Quill 129 Ill Z51; fi 20 i 24 ml v" atente Jan. :3 i

Morris Schwartz, Chicago, m, assignor to Barrel Fitting & Seal This invention relates to a metal forming at, paratus and. to the method of operation thereof and has special reference to an apparatus and method thereof for forming an opening in a metallic barrel preparatory to receiving a bushing structure therein, the'metallic barrels and other container bein particularly of the class used for storing and shipping liquids or semi-liquids.

More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for operating upon the sheet metal wall of a container or the like to form an aperture therein bounded by spaced angularly extending ears comprising relatively movable punch and die members, the die member having an axial opening therein to receive the punch member. Spaced projections are formed on the die memher to extend radially inwardly in the axial opening thereof in registration with spaced, longitudinally-extending peripheral projections on the punch for cooperation therewith to cut spaced slits on the wall disposed between the punch and die upon an initial relative movement therebetween, a continued relative movement of the punch and die fracturing the material between the slits to produce ears in the direction of movement of the punch.

The present invention also has special reference to the method of operation of the apparatus to form an aperture in the sheet metal wall Qof a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein consisting in disposing the sheet metal wall between a unch and die, in closing the punch and die upon the sheet metal wall to cut initially a plurality of spaced slits outlining a disc, andin continuing the movement of the punch and die to fracture the material between the spaced slits and to separate the disc of material outlined by the slits from the sheet metal wall.

Metallic harms of the type contemplated for use in storing or shipping substantial quantities of liquids or semi-liquids, such as motor oil and other lubricants, are filled and emptied through openings therein of fairly substantial size. It is often necessary to engage manually operated pumps in the openings to withdraw the liquid from the container necessitating a substantially heavy fitting for the opening. It has been found desirable in practice to dispose a bushing structure in the opening having a threadedconnection with a closure of a usual type for sealing the container during storage and shipment and for receiving a manually operated pump when the plug is removedto withdraw the liquid. Such containers are of various sizes and the weight of rporation, cage, EL, a corporation of nlinois Application April 6, 1940, Serial No. 328,205

the sheet metal forming the container varies con siderably. It is, therefore, desirable to form the opening in the container with an apparatus which will accommodate varying thicknesses of material and this feature is contemplated by the apparatus and method incorporating the present invention.

The method and apparatus incorporating the features of this invention have been found p1 actical by experiment to form an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein in which the sheel metal wall may vary in thickness from .015" to .075", the apparatus requiring no adjustment of the die structure for the accommodation of these varying thicknesses. Such an apparatus and method of operation provide a maximum efiiciency in operation. A substantial saving in time and labor is effected to reduce the operating overhead by reason primarily of permitting the single apparatus to remain assembled in the press for operation upon containers of varying sizes. Not only is a saving of time and labor effected by reason of not having to set up a press in condition for operation upon varying sizes of containers, but a saving in cost of dies is likewise efiected since but a single die may take the place of a number of sizes which will ordinarily be required.

The present invention also contemplates an operation upon the container in a single step, that is, a single cycle of operation carrying through the necessary metal-forming operations without necessitating the removal of the container or part thereof from one die to another for succeeding forming steps. A relative movement of the punch and die operating upon a sheet metal wall of the container eflects all forming operations in a continuous movement in one direction.

The outstanding feature of the apparatus and the method of operation thereof is the initial cutting of a plurality 'otspaced slits outlining a disc with a subsequent fracturing of the material between the slits by continuous movement of the punch and die upon the sheet metal wall and a final separation of the disc of material after the cutting and fracturing operation with the formation of ears from the fractured material between the slits, all of which action is effected in a single continuous operation or movement in one direc-= tion of the punch with respect to the die.

One of the objects of this'invention is to provide a metal forming apparatus of the character indicated above which is simple in construction, efficient in operation, and is durable.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of operation of an apparatus which will permit the formation of an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein wherein a saving of time, labor and expense is effected by reason of a single step of operation in a single die accommodating varying thicknesses of material.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and, for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which latter:

Figure 1 is an underneath plan elevational view of the punch member of the apparatus embodying the'features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan elevational view of the die member of the apparatus incorporating the features of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the punch and die being disposed in an initial condition of operation with a sheet metal wall of a container or the like shown fragmentarily therebetween in position to be operated upon;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing a changed position of the punch and die members thereof acting upon the sheet metal wall of the container for cutting the slits therein, the section being taken through the cooperating longitudinally extending spaced projections of the punch and die members;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the same position of operation, the section being taken through the spaces between the longitudinally extending projections of the punch andv die members;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a changed position effected by a continued movement of the punch and die members from that shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 in the same changed position as in Fig. 6; I

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a completion of movement of the punch and die members;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the same changed position as shown in Fig. 8;

. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the sheet metal wall after a completion of operation of the punch and die members to form an aper-,

ture bounded by spaced angularly extending ears: and

Fig. i1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a bushing structure secured in position within the wall of the aperture formed by the punch and die members incorporating the features of this invention and in accordance with the method of operation thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thereof. the apparatus incorporating the features of this invention comprises a punch holder it having a punch I6 preferably secured in a recess in the underneath side thereof by securing means such as screws II. The forward end of the punch I6 is provided with a reduced extension received in the opening of a ring IS, the ring being secured to the punch is by securing means such as screws W The ring thereof with spaced longitudinally extending projections 20, the outer faces of the projections being substantially coextensive with the outer face of the punch member l6. While the projections may be cut in the punch member i6 to the desired depth, it has been found desirable to provide a separate ring in order to reduce tool upkeep since the projections, the operation of which will be hereinafter more fully described, operate to cut sheet metal and may need be replaced, and it is desirable that such replacement be in a small part rather than the entire punch. Further, the provision of a separate ring eliminates the necessity for the entire punch being formed of a treated tool steel.

A socket-forming ring 2| is mounted on the punch Hi to have reciprocation relative thereto, a shoulder being formed onthe punch to engage a shoulder on the socket-forming ring to limit thev movement thereof in one direction. The socketforming ring 2| is held in a normally extended position such as is shown in Fig. 3, with the shoulder thereof abutting the shoulder of the punch, by compression means such as the coil springs 22. Any movement of the socket-forming ring relative to the punch i6 is against the compression of the coil springs 22. The forward end of the socket-forming ring 2| is provided with a peripheral lip 23 extending forwardly of the main body portion of the socket-forming ring for acting upon the sheet metal wall of the container after a disc has been out out of the wall in a manner to be hereafter described.

The die member comprises a shoe 2! for disposition on the bed of a press or the like, the upper surface of the die being recessed to receive an upstanding bushing ring 25. The upper end of the bushing ring 25 is reduced to provide an extension aboutwhich a supporting ring 26 is engaged, the supporting ring 26 seating upon the upper face of the bushing ring 25 and being secured in position thereon by securing means such as screws 21 extending from the shoe 24 through bushing ring 2| to threadedly engage a threaded aperture in the base of the supporting ring. The bushing ring 25 is, in turn, secured to the shoe 24 by screws 28.

A cutting and forming ring 29 rests on the upper end of the reduced extension of the bushing ring 25 and is supporting ring radially inwardly extending annular projection forming a shoulder 30 for overlying a shoulder 3| formed by a radially outwardly extending annular projection of the ring 29.

The ring 29 is provided with radially inwardly extending spaced projections 82, the outer faces of the projections 32 being substantially coextensive with the inner wall 23 of the bushing ring 25. The projections extend longitudinally of the ring and are in registration with the projections 20 of the .ing it carried by the punch I6. Since the projections of the rings of the punch and die held in position thereon by the members are in registration with each other, the

I8 is provided on the peripheral edge ticularly in Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 5 it will be 26, the supporting ring having a noted that the material between the slits is stretched or pulled and is not cut since there are no cooperating engaging cutting edges. However, a continued relative movement between the punch and die members fractures the material between the slits as shown more particularly in Fig. 7, the fracturing of the material between the slits separating a disc of material 35 outlined by the slits from the sheet metal wall 34.

In the present instance shown in the drawings and described in this specification, the punch is of circular contour to be received in=a recess in the die of the same contour. The spaced slits are thus formed to outline a circular disc, the slits being arranged circularly and the fracturing oi the material between the slits producing a substantially circular disc from the material outlined by the slits. The fracturing of the material, as shown'niore particularly in Fig. '7, forms angularly extending ears 36 from the material between the slits.

A continued relative movement between the punch and die members disposes the punch in position such as is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the ears 36 being ironed out into the recesses between the projections 32 of the ring 29. The ironing operation, besides acting to position the cars,

atory to securing a. bushing structure in position therein, consisting in disposing the sheet metal wall between a punch and die, in closing the punch upon the die to cut initially a plurality of spaced slits' on the sheet metal wall outlining a disc, in continuing the movement of the punch with respect to the die to draw the material be- 1 tween said spaced slits therewith in the direction closes the pores thereof and hardens the surface. I

Thus the opening in the sheet metal wall is circular, the ears being ironed out and forced back into the recesses between the projections such that the material bounding the slits extend forwardly to a position coextensive with the outer surface of the ears.

After the disc of material outlined by the slits has been se arated from the sheet metal wallan'd the ears have been ironed out and forced back into the recesses between the projections 32 of the ring 29, the peripheral lip 23 of the socket-forming ring 2| engages'the material of the wall 84 surrounding the opening left by the separation therefrom of the disc 35 and forms a socket 31. This condition of the' punch and die members unent with said slits.

of travel thereof to a point of fracture producing spaced projecting ears between said slits and separating the disc of material outlined by said slits from the sheet metal wall, and in forcing :fiid projecting ears into alignment with said ts v 2. The method of forming an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in I position therein, consisting in disposing the sheet a circular disc, in continuing the movement of the punch with respect to the die to draw the material between said spaced slits therewith in the direction of travel thereof to a point of fracture producing spaced projecting ears between said slits and separating the disc of material outlined by said slits from the sheet metal wall. and in forcing said projecting ears into circular align- 3. An apparatus for operating upon the sheet material wall of a container or the like in a manner to form an aperture therein bounded by' spaced angularly extending ears, comprising relashown as the limit of relative movement between the punch and die members is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The resultant structure formed in the wall of the container or the like is shown inFig. 10.

The formation of the aperture in the sheet metal wall together with the provision of spaced ears l6 prepares the wall for securing a bushing structure in position therein, the ears preventing relative rotation between the bushing structure and the sheet metal wall. Such a bushing structure is shown in Fig. 11, the structure comprising a bushing ring 38 having 8 threaded collar 38 with a radially outwardly extending flange ll. The

flange 40 is split to provide clamping portions Q II and 42 between which is received the material of the socket bounding. the opening of the container. The ears Itextending from the periphery of the socket, seat in depressions formed in one portion ll of the flange, the split portions 4| and '42 being clamped adjacent opposite walls of the socket to prevent displacement of the bushing structure therefrom and to preventrelative rotation therebetween.

While but a single embodiment of this inven- I invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

operation therewith to cut spaced slits on the 7 wall disposed between the punch and die upon an initial relative movement therebetween, a con tinued relative movement of said punch and die fracturing the material between said slits to produce. ears in the direction of movement of said punch.

4. An apparatus for operating upon the sheet metal wall of a container or the like in a manner prising relatively movable punch and die mem hers, said punch member comprising a punch Iholder having a punch secured thereto and a to form an aperture therein bounded by a socket having spaced angulariy extending ears, comsocket-forming ring carried thereby and movable relative thereto and to said punch, said die mem her having an axial opening therein to receive said punch and a recess bounding said opening to receive said socket-forming ring, spaced projections on said die member extending radially inwardly in the axial opening thereof, and spaced longitudinally extending projections on saidpunch in registration with said die projections roduce said spaced angularly extending ears in the direction of movement of said punch and forming the socket at the limit of movement thereof.

5. An'apparatus for operating upon the sheet metal wall of a container or the like in a manher to form an aperture therein bounded by spaced angularly extending ears, comprising relatively movable punch and die members, said die member having an axial opening therein to receive said punch member, spaced projections on said die member extending radially inwardly in the axial opening thereon, spaced longitudinally extending projections on the forward end of said punch in registration with said die projections for co-operation therewith to out spaced slits on the wall disposed between the punch and die upon an initial relative movement therebetween; a continued relative movement of said punch and die fracturing the material between said slits to produce ears in the direction of movement of said punch, and a continuous ironing surface behind said punch projections substantially coextensive with the outer faces of said projections to force said ears into the spaces between said die projections.

6. An apparatus for operating upon the sheet metal wall of a container or the like in a manner to form an aperture therein bounded by a socket having spaced angularly extending ears, comprising relatively movable punch and diemembers, said punch member comprising a punch holder having a punch secured thereto and a socketforming ring carried thereby and movable relative thereto and to said punch, said die member having an axial opening therein to receive said punch and a recessbounding said opening to receive said socket-forming ring, spaced projections on said die member extending radially inwardly in the axial opening thereof, spaced longitudinally extending projections on the forward end of said punch in registration with said die projections for co-operation therewith a cut spaced slits on the wall disposed between the punch and die upon an initial relative movement therebetween, a continued relative movement of said punch holder carrying said punch and socket-forming ring with respect to said die fracturing the material between said slits to produce said spaced angularly extending ears in the direction of movement of sail punch and forming the socket at the limit of movement thereof, and

a circular ironing surface behind said punch projections substantially coextensive with the outer faces of said projections to force said ears into the spaces between said die projections.

7. The method of forming an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein, which comprises initially cutting a plurality of spaced slits outlining a disc, causing relative movement between said sheet metal wall lying outwardly of said slits and the disc portion outlined by said slits in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wall to draw the material between said spaced slits to a point of fracture producing spaced ears between said slits extending substantially perpendicular to said metal wall and separating the disc of material outlined by said slits from the sheet metal wall.

.8. The method of forming an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein, which comprises initially cutting a plurality of spaced slits outlining a disc, causing relative movement between said sheet metal wall lying outwardly of said slits and the disc portion outlined by said slits in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wall to draw the material between said spaced slits to a point of fracture producing spaced ears between said slits extending substantially perpendicular to said metal wall and separating the disc of material outlinedby said slits from the sheet metal wall, and ironing said ears for the disposition thereof in a predetermined position.

9. The method of forming an aperture in the sheet metal wall of a container or the like preparatory to securing a bushing structure in position therein, which comprises initially cutting a plurality of spaced slits outlining a disc, supporting the portion of said wall about said slits in fixed position while forcing the disc portion outlined by said slits in a direction substantially perpendicular to said sheet metal wall to draw the material between said spaced slits to a point of fracture and produce spaced ears between said slits extending at an angle to said sheet metal wall and separating the disc or material outlined by said slits from the sheet metal wall.

. MORRIS SCHWARTZ. 

